Saint Paul Department of Safety & Inspections

Rule Changes

As of October 2026: Enforcing vegetation ordinance and issuing citations

Three Saint Paul homeowners are still contesting city orders to cut their native plantings, and a fourth resident's $3,000 bee lawn was mowed by a city contractor even after he won his appeal. Council members agreed in August the mowing was a mistake and called for changes to the enforcement process.

Updated Oct 8

Rule Changes

As of August 2026: Enforces Chapter 45 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code

A St. Paul property owner facing a junk-vehicle abatement order has cleared all but one car from his lot. City inspector Victor Xiong told the council on August 19 that a white Chrysler with plate AKH 001 remains out of compliance at 314 Wyoming St E.

Updated Aug 27

Rule Changes

As of August 2026: Makes initial determinations on rent increase exception applications

Saint Paul voters capped annual rent increases at 3% in 2021. Five years later, a wave of appeal hearings will test how far the ordinance's exceptions let landlords push past that limit.

Updated Aug 26